Apparatus for sterilization of fluids by ultra-violet rays.



M. VON RECKLINGHAUSEN. APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION 0F FLUIDS BYULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. H. 1914.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

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UNITED STATES OFFICE.

MAX VON RECKLINGHAUSEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE R. U. V.COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, 1\T. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION OF FLUIDS BY ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 14, 1914. Serial N 0. 824,653.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAX VON RECKLING- HAUSEN, a subject of the Emperor.of Germany, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forSterilization of Fluids by Ultra- Violet Rays, of which the following isa-full, clear, and exact description.

' In the sterilization of fluids by their exposure to ultra violet rays,it .has been found that the process is greatly facilitated by passingthefluid in a thin film through the zone of said rays, and mypresentinvention consists in a sterilizing device in which pro-' visionis made for causing the fluid to so spread out into a thin film'at aplurality'of points in its' passage through the rays. This object may beaccomplished in a variety of ways, but for purposes of illustration ofthe principle of this invention, I have illustrated a form of device inwhich the volume of the fluid is spread out at two points in its course.In other words, in the selected embodiment of the invention the water orother fluid permeable to the rays is delivered into an inlet compartmentfrom which it escapes in a thin sheet or film into ment, ending belowthe top of the receptacle, I

a main receptacle, from which it is conducted.into an outlet compartmentin the same manner, so that it is exposed twice in the I condition of afilm to the rays which emanate from a suitable lamp or source of thesame.

In the accompanying draWings, Figure 1 is a top plan View of thesterilizing device, Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same showing thelamp in position, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the lines indicatedby thearrows in Fig. 1.

The apparatus consists in a tank or receptacle A of suitable materialand dimensions, divided throughout the greater portion of its lengthinto ,two main compartments by a central wall or partition D extendingpartially across the receptacle and to the top of the same. On each'sideof this wall D is formed a compartment B, C, by side walls E and F, thecompartment B being relatively shallow and near the top of the mainreceptacle A. Near the end of the compartment C, and at the bottomthereof, there is an inlet G for the admission of the fluid, and theouter wall F of this compartis curved outwardly to form'a weir oroverflow edge of extended length. The wall of the other compartment B isformed in a similar manner and provided with an outlet Hpreferably atits opposite end.

In the undivided portion of the receptacle A, and in the path of theflow of fluid between thecompartments B and C, is a baffle plate K, theupper edge ofwhich is lower than the tops of the walls E and F in orderthat there may be a free flow of fluid over it when the device is inoperation, thus.

preventing accumulation of floating particles. This bafile does notextend quite to the bottom of the receptacle, so that fluid may passunder as well asover it.

The lamp L used with this apparatus is, or. may be, in the form of aslightly bent tube, the sides or legs of which extend on opposlte sidesof the central partition D, over the two compartments B and C and inclose proximity to the. edges of the same over which the fluid passesl IWhen in use, the fluid to be sterilized is introduced into inlet G-at apredetermined rate, and having filled the compartment 0 it overflows theedge of the same in a thin sheet or film into the main chamber ofthereceptacle. Having filled the latter it overflows into the-compartmentD, passing the edge of the wall E in a thin,sheet or film,

and flows away 'from the apparatus by the outlet H. In its passage fromone side of' the receptacle to the other the fluid flows over and underthe edges of the baffle K, be

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

other parts may be accordingly varied with- I out departure from theinvention. What I claim is: 1. A device for the sterilization of fluidsby ultra-violet rays, comprising in combina-- tion a main receptacleforcontaining the fluid, two narrow compartments formed in the center ofthe same and constltuting inlet and outlet compartments with overflow.

edges. the said compartments dividing that portion of the receptaclewhich they occupy into two parts, pipes communicating with the saidcompartments, and a source of ultra-violet rays supported over saidedges, these parts being so constructed and proportioned that a normalsupply of fluid entering the inlet compartment must expand and flow overthe edge of the same into the main receptacle in a thin film, and enterthe out-' let compartment from said receptacle over the edge of the samein a similar film.

2. A device for the sterilization of fluid by ultra-violet rays,comprising in combination a main. receptacle for containing the fluid,two narrow compartments formed in the central portion of the same,forming inlet and outlet compartments with extended overflow edges anddividing the portion of the main receptacle which they occupy into twoportions, pipes communicating with said compartments, a source ofultra-violet rays supported over the said edges, and a bafile platearranged in the undivided portion of the receptacle where the main flowof liquid occurs, these parts being so cons'tructed and proportionedthat a normal supply of fluid entering the inlet compartment must expandand flow over the edges of the same in a thin film, be stirred in itspassage through the main receptacle, and

I enter the outlet compartment in the form of a film extending over theedges of the same. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX VON RECKLINGHAUSEN.

Witnesses THOMAS J. BYRNE, WILLIAM P. JOHNSON.

